In this novella occur the World of the Five Gods and four years after the events in Penric’s Demon, Penric is a divine of the Bastard’s Order and a sorcerer and scholar, surviving in the palace where in fact the Princess-Archdivine holds court. His scholarly work can be interrupted when the Archdivine agrees to send out Penric, in his role as sorcerer, to accompany a “Locator” from the Father’s Order, assigned to fully capture Inglis, a runaway shaman charged with the murder of his closest friend. However, the problem they discover in the mountains is far more complex than expected. Penric’s assignments as sorcerer, strategist, and counselor are called upon before the end.

Bujold delivers an amazing tale that’s not soon forgotten.